December 23, 2012

....and a good time was had by ALL!

Our Christmas Season got off with a nice start with a small party at our house on the 21st...

Our house, a simple typical island pilar and post single wall construction cottage is kind of small, but amazing how the walls will expand to accommodate good friends when everyone seems to be having a good time.

To see the photos in larger format, click on each collage, please...

Our 'hale" (house/home) greeted our friends with a wreath on the door and a lantern on the front lanai and flowers and greenery... and candles all around...the copper molds on the kitchen cabinet doors are 'dressed' with a sprig of bay leaf tied with red ribbons

Our living area is all one room which includes the kitchen to your left as you first come in the front door...there is a wide kitchen counter that opens on to the living room. The counter was covered with a tablecloth and used as a buffet from both sides

We have a wood shelving unit that we have used as a center kitchen island in previous homes but in this house we don't have the room 'inside' the kitchen area but it fits perfectly at the end of the kitchen counter and that is where the plates, flatware, napkins, punch and cups were waiting for our guests...on the back lanai our round dining table 'hosted' the fondue pot. I covered this table with the picnic quilt made by my sister Sandra as a gift for us...I used the reverse/underside as it has a beautiful red flowered fabric center on navy blue background

Everyone brought a dish to share...three types of sausages served with mustard sauce or guava sauce (I mixed them both for a stunning taste!), Tunisian Potato Turnovers, marinated archicokes and heart of palms, boiled soybeans, Swiss cheese fondue (with white wine) with French bread bits or raw mushroom slices to dip (the mushroom slices with the Swiss cheese fondue is scrumptious... what an amazing burst of flavor!), chocolate fondue with panettone bits or banana slices to dip and a strawberry Angel food cake-raspberry trifle...Beverages were Mango-Pineapple Punch, hot chocolate served from the crockpot and coffee

The table on the back lanai where the Swiss Cheese Fondue was served was a fun spot. Kevan, our "little ole winemaker" set up his 'bar' and kept us hydrated with his apple wine and apple champagne...he also shared his delicious lychee liqueur after dinner. Kevan, the wines, champagne and liqueur are absolutely delicious...Mahalo nui for sharing them with us!

Someone suggested mixing the punch with the champagne for a spritzer or adding a bit of the lychee liqueur to a cup of punch...oh, yes!...

We played the always fun gift exchange game where you pick a number and the first player chooses a wrapped gift and opens it, then second player has the option of choosing a wrapped gift or 'stealing' the gift from the first player...and on down the line until everyone has a gift either they chose from the gift pile or 'stole' from someone else...I was number 1 and my gift, a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright book, was stolen from me almost immediately, but I ended up with a gorgeous carved wooden plate!...A beautiful glass tea set was stolen from its original owner and one person just happened to choose a gift his own wife had brought...oh well! Good thing it was a very pretty kitchen towel set and she could still use it at home! ;-)

Brenda & Kevan, Liz, Mike & Kerry, Jenn & Chris, Galyn & Trevella...we're so happy you could join us and mahalo nui for adding to the joy of our holidays.